Containers for columnar merchandising machine



Jan 6 1.959 w. T. KIRKPATRICK 2,867,487

CONTAINERS FOR COLUMNAR MERCHANDISING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5. 1954 o e a4 a4 34 /0 2 2o Z 2 4g a a2 4 54 n from/5y tties CONTAENERS FOR COLUMNAR MERCHANDIS- ING MACHINE Y Application October 5, 1954, Serial No. 460,430

Z'Claims. (Cl. S12-42) My invention relates to an improvement in containers for columnar merchandising machines and more particularly to a means for retaining packages of merchandise in position within the columns of a merchandising machine.

An ever increasing number of different brands of cigarettes are being placed on the market by manufacturers. Not only has the number of brands increased but the same cigarette may be sold in different forms. For example, there are filter-tip cigarettes, king-size cigarettes, and strawor cork-tipped cigarettes, .as well as regular cigarettes. Some cigarettes are packaged in pouches while other cigarettes are boxed for sale. Because 'of the very large variety of different kinds and different brands of cigarettes being marketed, a cigarette merchandising machine must be provided with a large number of columns or sections if the market for the various kinds and brands of cigarettes is to be covered. The size of cigarette merchandising machines is, however, limited by the oor space available in the location at which the machine is to be installed. Cigarette merchandising machines are located in attended locations, such as diners, taverns, and other retail establishments. Since the sale of cigarettes is an incidental enterprise with the proprietors of these establishments, they wish to have the merchandising machine installed in an unobtrusive location where it does not detract substantially from the lloor space of the establishment. Owing to the fact that the available space for machines is limited, andbecause of the large number of kinds and brands of cigarettes being marketed, itis desirable that a machine be provided which occupies only a small amount of floor space and yet which has a large number of columns or sections for dispensing a large number of different respective varieties of cigarettes. Some varieties of cigarettes have only a small demand. Manufacturers, however, otter inducements to machine operators to install a column of their brand of cigarettes in the machine. This fact further increases the desirability of providing a machine with a large number of columns. Moreover, since the number of.`

kinds of cigarettes has increased, the demand for a particular brand has decreased so that more varieties of cigarettes must be sold to maintain the same volume of sa es.

ln most cigarette merchandising machines of the prior art the packages are normally piled or stacked with the intermediate dimension or width of the vpackage horizontally disposed, and the longest dimension, or height, of the package extending from front to back of the machine. It will readily be appreciated that this disposition of packages limits Athe number ofcolumns of packages which can bearranged in a machine cabinet of a given width. 4Agreater number of columns can be provided in the same cabinet space by employing the split column arrangement in the machine cabinet. In this arrangement the columns are made narrow and the packages are piled or stacked with their narrowest dimension or thickness horizontal and with the length of the package exarent tending from the front toward the rear of the machine. While this construction provides a greater number of columns, it will be understoodof course that the number of packages which can be contained in a given column is reduced. However, a machine may be made with both the normal column and the split column construction with the less popular kinds kof cigarettes contained in the narrow columns. l

In cigarette machines of the prior art the partitions forming the respective columns are provided with transverse lips extending vertically along their respective forwardedges to keep the packages from being shaken or jarred 'out of the columns. These lips also serve to prevent a disarrangement of the packages which would interfere with the proper ejection of packages from the columns. These retaining lips may be employed on the split columns of the machine. The width of the split columns, however, is such that the use of retaining lips on these columns interferes with convenient loading ofV the machine. In loading a column of a machine, packages of cigarettes are inserted in the top of the column and lowered therefrom to the base ofthe column. In order to perform this operation and to ensure that the packages do not become disarranged as they are moved from the top toward the base of a column, it will be appreciated that the fingers of the person servicing the machine must be inserted into the columns past the retaining lip. The split columns, however, are so narrow that retaining lips would effectively reduce the openings at the forward ends of the respective columns to prevent convenient entry into the columns of the ,lingers of the person loading the machine. The packages could be dropped into the top of the column and be permitted to fall to the base thereof without maintaining them in stacked relation. If this is done the packages will almost always become so disarranged as to prevent proper ejection thereof when the machine is operated.

I have invented a novel retaining means for maintaining the position of packages of cigarettes disposed within the columns of a merchandising machine. My retainer is especially suited for use on a merchandising machine employing the split column construction'. It effectively preventsv shaking or jarring of packages out of the column and maintains the position of the packages therein to prevent a disarrangement which might interfere with ejection of the packages from the column. My retainer may readily and expeditiously allow the machine to be conveniently loaded by permitting entry into the column of the lingers of the person loading the machine to arrange a new supply of packages in the column.

One object of my invention is to provide an improvement in containers for merchandising machines which effectively retains packages of cigarettes within the columns of the machine while permitting ready and eX- peditious loading of the column. a

A further object of lmy invention is to provide an 1mprovement in containers for columnar merchandising be used in a given cabinet space and yet which providesi for ready and expeditious loading `of all columns.

Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the following description.

In general, my invention contemplates the provision of a retainer particularly adapted for Vuse with machines employing the split column' construction which eliminates the necessity for employingv retaining lips on the vparti'- tions forming the columns. Myretainer is an elongatedv elastic member disposedn at the front of a column andY ratenfea Jan. e, 1959 extending from top to bottom thereof between the partitions forming the column. This arrangement of the exible member retains the packages within the column to prevent jarringv or shaking of packages out ofthe column, It also prevents such disarrangement of the packages as the supply ofpackages is depleted which would interfere with proper ejection of the packages from the column. .My retainer permits the column with which it is associated to be loaded in a ready and expeditious manner so that the packages of the new supply are properly arranged to permit effective dispensing thereof. Because of its inherent elasticity it may be drawn aside during the loading operation to permit the loadersl iingers to be inserted within the column to arrange the packages. Thereafter the elastic retainer lwill automatically resume its position to retain the package in the column.V My retainer eliminates the necessity for employing retaining lips on'the column partitions. Preferably, I form a number of elastic members for use with a number of respective columns from a continuous length of material. This arrangement permits the service man to take advantage of the over-all elasticity of the continuous length when drawing aside an individual retaining member to permit loading of its associated column, thus permitting a greater deectionwith a material having a comparatively limited elongation per unit of length, f

In the accompanying drawing which forms part of the instant specification and which is to be read in conjunction therewith, the gure is a perspective view of a portion of a columnar merchandising machine showing a container assembly embodying one form of my invention.

`More particularly referring now tothe drawing, the assembly of container S, indicated generally by the reference character 10, includes sides 12, one of which is shown, secured by any convenient means such as welding or the like to the back 14 of the assembly. A delivery chute, indicated generally by the reference character-16, is formed at the bottom of the assembly to provide a means by which cigarettes may be delivered to the customer. Brackets'lt fixed by any convenient means to the sides 12 provide aV means -by which the assembly 10 may be slid onto guides in the machine cabinet (not shown).

Y A plurality of normal columns, each indicated generally by the reference character 20, are formed by partitions 22 fixed by welding or the like to the back 14 of the assembly at spaced locations therealong. A pair of adjacentV partitions 22 form a single column 2l). Each of the partitions 22 extends from the top of the container toward the base thereof to an associated ejecting mechanism', indicated generally by the reference character 24, which may be of any suitable type known to the art. A housing 26 supported between the sides 12 of the assembly'slidably mounts the operating plungers 2S associated with the respective ejecting assemblies 24 and contains the conventional interlocking slides which allow the operation of only a single plunger at a time. Each of the columns 29 is adapted to contain packages of cigarettes each arranged with its intermediatedimension or width horizontal and with its longest dimension or height exeV tending in a direction from front to back of the container. This is the normal arrangement employed in containers or columns of the prior art. Each -of the partitions 22 forming columns 2t) is provided with a retaining lip 30 extending along its forward edge from top to bottom of a partition 22. Lips 30 extend generally in the direction of the width of the container to retain packages of cigarettes disposed within the columns properly Vin position.

When the supply of packages in a column 20 is depleted, the columnV is reloaded byV inserting packages through the top of the columns and moving them downwardly to.

that in the course of this operation the fingers of the person loading the machine extend into the columns and pass downwardly between adjacent partitions 22. The space between adjacent panels 22 permits this movement. Lips 30 do not extend a sufficient distance toward the center of the associated column 2@ to interfere with the movement of the loaders fingers within the column.

My assembly is also provided with a number of columns, each indicated generallyV by the reference character 32, of the split column construction.n The left column 32, as viewed in the drawing, is formed by a partition 22 and a second partition 34 spaced to the right from partition 22. The right column 32 is formed by a side 12 and mounts a number of ,plungers 38 associated, respectively,

with the ejecting mechanisms 36. Each ofthe columns 32 is adapted to support a column of packages having their shortest dimension or thickness horizontal and their longest dimension or height extending in a directio from the f ront to the back of the container.

If columns 32 were provided with lips similar to the' lips 39 Yfor retaining Ythe packages in the split column, they'would properly be positioned within the columns.

However, the spacing between partitions 34 is such that.

if a retaining lip 30 Vwere employed, it would substantially close the opening between partitions 34k adjacent the front of the container. As a result, as column 32 was loaded, the person servicing thermachine could'not insert his fingers within the space provided between adjacent partitions 34. Thepackages would of necessity have to be dropped into the top of a column 32 and .could not be arranged or adjusted thereafter. In order to eliminate the necessity for employing lips 30 .on the columns 32 and to retain packages of cigarettes in a proper position in the columnsl'have provided a retainer which will not interfere with theloading of the split columns. l

I provide a bracket 40 xed to all of the partitions 22 and 34 by any convenient meansrsuch as welding or the like. r This bracket 4Q extends between sides 12 Vof the container assembly and lends rigidity to thev container structure. VIt also performsan additional function `aswill` be explained hereinafter. I mount a second bracket 42 by any convenient means on the partitions 34 adjacent the n cations along the bracket 40 I pass bushings 44 through Y the bracket.

suitable holesformed in the bracket. Each of the 'bushings 44 is disposed substantially centrally yof a column 32. through suitable holes formed at spaced locations along tions of a continuous length of elastic, flexible material, indicated generally bythe reference character 48, form the individual retainers 50 for the respective columns 32. A knot 52 or the like formed in one'end of theelongated elastic member 48 retains the member in position with re-V spect to the extreme right-hand. grommet 46. as viewed inV the ligure. l From this -g'rommet 46 thelength 5t) is passed downwardly through the extremerig'ht-hand grommet 44,

Y through the next adjacentV grommet44,` upwardly in front the bottom of the column where they ,may be engaged 1 of a column 32, and through the grommet 46 adjacent the grommet at which knot 52 is disposed to form a second retainer 50. The length 48 then passes throughfthe re- Bracket 42 is provided with bushings 46 passed Bushings or grommets 46 are also located substantially centrally of the respective columns 32. Por-` maining grommets 44 and 46 in a manner similar to that described until the last grommet 44 adjacentthe bottom of the left-hand column 32, as viewed in the drawing, is reached. At this point the length 48 is drawn to the desired tension and a knot S4 is formed therein to retain this end of the length 48 in position with respect to the grommet 44. It will readily be understood that grommets 44 and 46 form bearing surfaces for the member 48 to prevent abrasion thereof.

The elongated member 48 may be formed of any material which is sufficiently elastic. For example, it may be formed of metal, rubber, or it may be a lament made of a synthetic resin such as nylon, orlon, or the like. Preferably I form the member 48 of nylon since this material is very elastic, is strong, resists abrasion and has such coefficient of elongation that it may stretch suiciently to permit convenient loading. The use of an elongated member extending over a plurality of split column containers enables me to use a stronger and less easily stretchable material. Stated diiferently the elongation per unit of length need be comparatively small and yet will permit the elastic retainer member to be pulled aside to permit the ready and convenient loading of a split column. At the same time the stouter and stiffer retainer ensures the retention of the merchandise in the columns.

When it is desired to load the columns 32, the retainer portion 50 may be drawn aside from the column with which it is associated to permit packages to be loaded into the column and stacked neatly by the person loading the machine so that the package will feed without jamming or banging in the column. To accomplish this the loader grasps the retainer 50 with one hand and draws it aside while he loads packages of cigarettes with this other hand. It will be appreciated that when the retainer 50 is drawn away, the loaders fingers may readily be inserted within a column 32 lbetween partitions 34 to arrange the packages being inserted. I have formed the retainers 50 of a c011- tinuous length of material 48 in order to take advantage of the inherent elasticity of the entire length rather than merely that of an individual retainer 50. It will be appreciated that while I have described my improvement as being primarily intended for use with columns of the split column construction, it should be understood that it may conveniently be used with columns such as the columns 26, replacing the lips 30 by flexible retaining members 50.

In use, my retainer normally serves to retain packages of cigarettes in position within the columns 32. Any tendency of the packages to be shaken or jarred loose out of a column is resisted by the retainers 50. Moreover, the. retainers 50 maintain the alignment of the packages stacked within the column to prevent such a disarrangement as would interfere with a proper feeding or ejection of the packages during operation of the machine. When it is desired to load the machine, the member 50 may be pulled away from or drawn aside from the column with which it is associated by virtue of the inherent elasticity of the elongated member. As

the person loading the machine draws a retainer away with one hand, he may insert the packages being loaded with the other hand. After a loading operation is complete the member 50 is released to permit it to snap back into a position where it performs its retaining function.

It will be seen that I have accomplished the objects of my invention. I have provided a retainer for maintaining the position of packages of cigarettes within the columnsv of a columar merchandising machine. My retainer is especially adapted for use with columnar merchandising machines employing the split column construction. It replaces the retaining lips normally provided on the partitions forming the columns of the machine. My retainer may readily be displaced to permit loading of the column with which it is associated. When the split column construction is employed, my retainer permits entry of the loaders fingers between the panels forming a column as the container is being loaded.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of my claims without departing from the spirit of my invention. It is therefore to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specic details shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a columnar merchandising machine container having a plurality of columns formed by pairs of adjacent vertically extending panels, a irst support mounted adjacent the upper ends of said panels, a second support arranged adjacent the other ends of said panels, a plurality of elongated retainers extending between said supports and formed of a continuous length of elastic material, and bearing means carried by said supports along which said length of elastic material forming said retainers is adapted to slide.

2. In a columnar merchandising machine container having a plurality of columns formed by pairs of adjacent vertically extended panels, a first support mounted adjacent the upper ends of said panels, a second support arranged adjacent the other ends of said panels, a plurality of elongated elastic retainers extending between said supports and formed of a continuous length of nylon, and annular bearing means carried by the supports through which the length of nylon forming said elastic retainers is adapted to pass.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 434,606 Moos Aug. 19, 1890 743,182 Meyer Nov. 3, 1903 1,128,312 Hubbard Feb. 16, 1915 1,645,236 Hedlind Oct. 11, 1927 1,892,193 Singer Dec. 27, 1932 2,187,568 Gurley Jan. 16, 1940 2,463,338 Wechsler Mar. 1, 1949 2,535,229 Paolantonio Dec. 25, 1950 2,630,233 Kircher Mar. 3, 1953 

